Council officers in Wokingham will lead an initial scoping exercise into the projected traffic effects and report to the next summit in mid-July.

Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities concerned with the proposal agreed to commission a study on the projected impact on local traffic patterns and potential changes to longer distance traffic using a new bridge.

It is hoped this will provide evidence on which to base future discussions about a third river crossing in the Reading area, as well as looking at any knock-on effect on traffic in a wider area.

The meeting was also attended by a representative from the Department for Transport.

“It is very important if we are to have a sensible ongoing discussion about a third Thames bridge that it is based on evidence and Wokingham has the most up-to-date traffic model that we have access to.”

He said he and Maidenhead MP Theresa May were “arguing strongly” for the bridge.

He added: “I hope over time we can build a consensus with Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council that steps need to be taken to alleviate the serious congestion faced by our constituents.

“There is still a long way to go but all the parties are engaged in looking seriously at this and while the outcome is far from certain, this is progress.

“I remain committed to delivering the transport infrastructure projects that my constituents need and have a very good record of doing just that.”